Wire-chain machine.



J. COULTER.

WIRE CHAIN MACHINE.

Anmouxon FILED oo'r. 4. nos. nnnnwnn snrr. s, 1m.

1,023,126, Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

3 SBEETBBHEET 1.

WITNESSES Jima.. /6 www,

J. COULTER.

WIRE CHAIN MACHINE. APrLlcA'rxoN PILBI, oom. 4. 1905. nsnnwnn snm. a. 1911 M sav/Wint@ ATTORNEY J. COULTER.

WIRE CHAIN MACHINE.

LPPLIoATIoN Hum 001.4, mosr RBHEWBD SEPT. a, 1911.

1 ,023,126. Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

4Tirelli whom it mag/ PATENT OFFICE.

smsooumns; of namonrtin'ncolfiwno'cv'r. ASSIGNOB, BY MEsNn ASSIGNMENTS.

conm, oF BUFFALO, NEW Yoan. a. copronn'iron 1,023,126., specification of Letters Pate'nt Patented Apr.1j`6',i 1212. pintan nea umher 4, im, semmi. s1,a'r 1; ianwa september a'isu. semina., use

Be it lamentan. I.,- Jnms Gwinn, t

i citizen of theUnitedfStates, residing at v Bridgeport, Connecticut,"liave invented `new 'allel to each other.

and useful Improvements 4in .Wire-Chain Machines, of which the followngis a speci fication. f

M invention relates ,to machines vfor makmg chain vfrom wire or wire rods, and its object has been to pmvidesuch a machlne having amon others the `following advan- 'thgesg that o so for-'lining4 cliainlmks that the joint between the two ends of the wire orrod formn the link shallalwaysbe in substantially t e same "position relativeto the link,4 to facilitatev economi 1n welding the link, as more fully stated 'erelnaften 'A urther advantage soughtzhas been the roduct-ion of a machine inwhich the. meet mg facesof the ends. of the rod may be brought close together andsuhstantially par- A further advantage sought has` been to provide `a machine in which the link, after being completed is turned erpendicular have threaded-.through it t e rod which is to form thenext following link, which ma chine shall have ample vroplnfor the' chain `to swing during vsaid. turning movement without bility of-.the chain catchingy upon any` of'the forming parts; 'and to such ends my invention consists in the chain forming machine hereinafter specified. l

A furtheradvantage son hthas been to provide aA machine 1n whic -ia wire or rod..

lank shall be shaped into --a link .b'y the operation of forming rollsl rolling 1t about a former until its ends meet, instead of its being formed by jaws which' are forced against it.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine constituting one embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line H of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line b-4-b of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a detail top plan view of the cover plate for the link-forming` mechanism and showing the link-forming levers pro'e'cting therefrom, the cam plate for sai levers vbeing shownin broken view, and theoperating lever of the link jaw holder being shown; Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail plan view-ofthe link-forming levers, guiding Aand holding fingers, and link former, a link blank ,being shown 41n position for the commencement-V of the operation offforminga link; Figs. 6 is a view similar to, Fig. 5, showingone; end of a link completely bent intov position-,Land

the other end'partly bent. Fig. Tais a view 60 similar to Fig. 6, showing the 'secondendof the link bent into position; Fig. fyisgawiew v similar to Fig. 5, but showing the linkforinf.-

ing levers, and the guiding and holdingn fingers in` retracted position, and also showing 6 5 the newly formed link grasped by the jaws of the link holder ready to be rotated to a vertical position; Fig. v9 is an enlarged irontwele vation of the link forming levers, former, and

the jaws of the link holder, a linkblankgbeing being shown in section, and showingcthe blank for the new link being threaded through the completed link; and/Fig.V 11

is an enlarged sectional view ony the line c-c of Fig. 1.

My invention is capable of embodiment in many dierentforms. The form ch'Qsen to' illustrate it, and which is the best vftirni which I have conceived, consists1 of abcd. V1` having bearings near the rear edgelEtil a driving shaft 2, the latter carrying a ,dilllg 35 pulley 3. A shaft 4 is journaled 1n .at the rear edge of the bed, and the driving shaft carries a pinion 8 meshing with a 9 on the shaft 4. A shaft 5 is also mounted in the said bed, along the left edge ofthe lied, and it is driven from the shaft iby a bevel pinion 6 on the shaft 4, which `meshes with 'a bevel gear 7 on the shaft 5, the gear being twice the diameter of the pinion. The

wire or wire rod 10 is fed into the cutting 95 and forming mechanism b v a feedeomV rising the usual slide 12 carrying straightening rolls 1I, the slide being operated by a lever 13, which in turn is oscillated by ,a cam 14 on the shaft 4. A rod-clamping lever is L00 ulcrumed on the bed, and is swung to clamping position by engagement of a roll 16 at Vits rear end with a cam 17 on the shaft 4. 1 The rod passes through a bushing 93 mounted in a socket formed on the bed, said bushing being preferably of hardened steel,

` to one sidecr the other o a central.

and the edges of the hole through .which the rod passes being sharpened so as to shear ofithe rod, as later described.

A former 78 is mounted in avertical guide-way in the bed, and the upper end of the former is sha ed to correspond with the inside of the lin so that the link may bent about it. The former is preferably, althoughnotnecessarily, so positioned that its rear surface is in line with the bushing 93. It is about this former that the arts move whichshape the blank intothe finished link.l After the link is completed, I desire to turn it intea vertical position, so that the blank` ofthe new link can be .threaded through the link just formed, and as the parts which perform` this turning movement mustV have a rotary movement, I do not want to add the urtheromplication necessary move such parts vertically to lift the link o the former. I therefore provide means to/iower the former in the bed after the link hasbeen taken hold of by said turning devices. The means for lowering the former may takemany diierent forms. I4 find it convenient to pivot to the lower end of the former a lever- 79 fulcrumed at upon the bed, the opposite end of the lever having a roll that enga es a path cam in the vertical face of a cam isk 48.

InA order to sever from the rod or wire 10 the blan'k,vor length which is toform the new link, I provide a bushing 58'; which, cocting with the bushing 93, forms a shears, and I mount the bushing 58 on a slide 58, movable forward and backward on the bed, said slide having a roll 60 lthat engages a path cam in the vertical face of a cam disk 62 on the shaft. i In forming the link, the blankis to be held. against the rear surface of the former, and, asV -I desire to hold theblank so firmly that the devices which bendaround the ends' of the blank cannot dra the blankfbodily osit-ion on the former, I provide devices for olding the link with great firmness a einst the'rear surface of the4 former. For t is purpose, it is necessary that t-he former be stronglyT supported. To so support the former,I provide a brace or linger 91, the said brace having a rounded head 91 adapted to turn in a semi-circular seat in the rear side of a tilling piece 86, later to be described, the said brace being maintained in a central posi` tion and adapted to bear against thel back of the former by springs 92. These springs` which are located on the underside of a cam plate 84, to be laterl described, permit the brace to be pushed out of the way by the parts which bend the link around the former.

The devices for holding the link againstr the former consist of lingers 23 and 24, which are pivotally mounted upon studs 25 the rolls 66 and 65 respectively,

The slide 1821s,v pushedV toward the Vformer by Vengagemeht of a cam4 19v on the shaft 4 wit e rol 20 on theV said slide audit' is retracted by engagement of the rolt 21 on the sideof the sllde with a path cam 21* in a 22, the latter also being on the shaftvided with pins and 2 8 respectively, which operate in caxnslots29 and 30 (Figs. 4 and 11) in plates 31 and 32, which 'are tened on the underside' of the cover late 35, which overlies the slide 18. The p etes 31 and 32 are mounted upon filling pieces 33 and 34, which latter are directly supported by the plate 35: To bend the blank around the former, I use two forming rolls, one for each end of the blank. A' convenient manner of mounting, iguiding and operating the formi-ng rolls is t e following:

At each side of the slide 18 isa slide, one of them being the slide .58 before mentioned, and theY other a slide 57, and to each of these ,slides is pivoted a pair of levers, the/slide 58 carrying up er and llower levers 54 and 54, and the sli e 57 upper and' lower' leversY 53 and 53. The free ends of the levers 5 4 and 54l carry a pin 64 which has journaled thereon, 4abovethe lever 54 an anti-friction roll 66, and between thelevers, plain rolls 68 and 70, and an intermediate grooved frming.roll 72. Similarly the levers 53 and 53 have a pin 63-carrying at its upperv end an antiffriction roll 65,v and between the levers plain rolls 67 andv 69, and a grooved formingvroll 71. The cover plate 35 has 4f rear ends of the nzgers 23 and 24 are 'pros ,l

- Vso cams 35c and 35h formed on its forward edge,

which cams are adapted to be engaged for the purpose of moving the levers 54 and 53 laterally away from the former as they are retracted. On the bed in front of the former are vu i per and lower guides 84 and 85 separated y a filling plate 86 before referred to, and these guides have formed on their rear'surfaces cams 84h and 84' and also preferably a teat or projection 84c between the said cams; The Said cams are adapted to be engaged by the plain rolls on the pins 64 and' 63, which rolls are between the levers. Thus the grooved rolls are given the proper motions to bend the ends of the link blank around theformer, as will be later described. The slide 57 carries a roll corresponding to the roll 60 of the slide 58, the roll of the slide 57 engaging a path cam in the inner vertical faces of a cam disk 6l.

I provide means to take hold of the completed link in its horizontal position and '.130

noname whilelit 'is vstill on the former, int'ofa vertical position ready Ynext blank threaded through auch means ,can take many different forms. The means. which I prefer to use consist of a ylink holder 38 having a cylindrical portion that is mounted to rotate and slide 1n a bear-in 18A formed on the slide 18 (Figs. 2 and 1,1 Link holding 'aws 73 and 7,3* are 1 pivot at their rear en 8 and are connected by a link 7 5 (Figs. 8 and "10), which is pivoted to said V)aws by `pins 76. The pinholes are slightly elonated to permit a slight opening and closmg movement of the free ends of the jaws so that they may s ring aart to grasp a com leted `ink,`an to vena hol said link, grooved seatsv are preferably formed in the ends of said jaws (Figs. 9 and' 10). The link holder 38 may be moved forward and back .by any That which I` prefer consists of the following parts: A rock shaft 49 is mounted in bearings on the rear end of the slide 18 transversel to its line of movement, and suchshaft 1s oscillated by an arm 46 secured thereto, and carrying at its rear end an anti-friction roll 47 that en ages a ath cam 48 ina cam body fastene on the s aft 80 4. The shaft 49 has depending arms 50 that are providedwith slots to engage pins 51 on a collar 52 journaled on the link holder 38. Thus when the lever 46 is oscillated, through the action of the cam, the arms 50l are moved forward and back, and by engagement with the pins on the collar carry with them the link holder.-

` In order to rotate the link holder, it may be provided with a toothed portion 38, which is adapted to be en ged y a rack39 mounted in a guide-way ormed between the bed and the cover plate, the toothed portion being long enough to permit the longitudinal movements of the link holder without causing the said toothed ortion to pass from beneath the rack.1 Tii reciprocated in have shown it and turn it to have the any convenient manner.

ivoted by a pin to the upper end of a liever 41, which latter is vfulcrumed on a pin fixed on the bed. The lever carries an anti-friction roll 42, which engages a path cam 43 in a disk 44 fastened on the shaft 5. As the gear 7 is twice the diameter of the pinion 6, the shaft 5 turns only half a revolution shaft 4. The ath cam 43, as shown in Fig. 3, is so shape as at each half turn thereof to cause the link such turning movements alternately occur in op osite directions, as will later vmore fully e described.

In order to stop the feeding movement so that the blank shall be centrall positioned with reference to the former, provide a 55 stop in the form of a pin 87, carried by a 1t. Obviously,-

s on a pin 74 (F1g.. v In their feeds sulicient wire to le the jaws to' convenient means.

for a full turn of the f holder to turn the link, and.

holder which is.. ivoted on a'pinSS iixed on the frame, a sprin 89 being provided which tends ^to throw t e stop against a sta- 'tionary pin 90. Thus, the stop normally rests a axnst the pin 90 and in line with the path o movement of the incoming blank, and yet the spring 89 'ermitsthe roll 71 to push the stop out o the way-when the link is formed.

. ration of the above-described 'of my invention, the slide 12 form a blank from link. The distance from the bushing 94 to the former is one and one-half times the len h"of= a ablank.` Therefore, when the sli `e 58' makes the first cutting movement, thedirst blank will remain in the bushing 94, whilegall the mechanism!V runs idle as thou'gh a ",k were being; formed. The second feeding 4movement wil force the first blank' out of the bushing94`and back of the former, and during. this so ration thejingers will be so positioned by `e various cams that the grooves in their forward faces wilht embodim which to make a the cutting face of center ofthe ether with the rear surface of the former, orm a guide for the incoming blank. The grooved rolls 71 yand 72 are also positioned in line to form a ide-for the said blank. The incoming lank` strikes against the end of the stop 87, and as the next blank is. pushed up by the wire 10, its forward end 10* will bear against the end of the blank being 'ositioned, so that the blank is held on bot ends and 'accurately positioned, with its center opposite the center of the'former.

As I desire to have the gap between the ends of the blank always in exactly the same position relative to the body of the link, I wish to prevent the blank from4 being dragged either way from its central position as its ends are being bent over. To do this, I 'first cause the 1mb to be jammed hard against the former. This is accomplished .by moving thel finge s 23 `and 24 close` together, the -link-ho ding jaws -ben retracted, and forcing them toward the ormer to clamp the link. The brace 91 enables the' former to withstand this ressure. Second, Icause the\groo"ved rolls 1 and 72 to move forward simultaneously, thus bending both ends of the link at the same time about the` former. Buckling of the blank is prevented gy the ressure of the fingers 23 and 24. he rol s 72 and 71 are guided in their movements by'engagement of the plain rolls above and beneath them with the cams 84" and 84. Their movements continue until they reach approximately the points f (Fig. 4), and this rings the blank to an approximately U shape.

As the rolls 72 and u on their respective 71 cannotVbot-h act extremities of the b ank at the same time, I cause one o'f them l other end e of to pause while the other completes its bending movement. As the illustrated machine is designed, it is the roll 71 which will pause, While the roll 72 will continue on and turn the end e (Fig. 6) around theV former. l/Vhen the plain rolls above and below the roll 72 reach the teat 84", they force the roll 72hard against the end of t-he blank, and not only bend such end to a position in a straight line with the position to be occupied by the end e, but they force the skin on the outer surface of the blank along with the roll 72, so that, instead of a V-shaped gap between the ends of the blank, the end surfaces will be parallel to each other, and a minimum gap will be formed. The slide 58 then retracts suliciently to permit the slide 57 to advance the roll 71 and bend the the blank in a similar manner, as shown in Fig. 7. Both of the rolls 71 and 72 are permitted to push the brace 91 out of the way because of the springs 92. The link is now complete. The link holder 38 is now advanced causing the link-holding fingers 73 and 73 which are now in horizontal position) to e sprung over the ends of the link, as in F ig. 8, the fingers 23 and 24 and the link-forming rolls being retracted as shown in the said. figure. The former is retracted or depressed and the link holder 38 is now rotated to brino the link into vertical position, after whic the link holder is advanced to insert the link in the groove in the rear face of t-he former, as illustrated in Fig. 10, the latter having again beeny elevated. The'link now is in position so that, when the new blank is fed into place, it will pass through the link just formed.

If the link-holding fingers 73 and 73 always turned in the same direction to raise the link from horizontal to vertical position, the chain would be twisted a quarter of a turn each time a; link was made and would be badly snarled. lIn fact, to overcome this, machines have heretofore been provided with rotating tables on which the pile of @hain'couid fnl, the cabi@ being rotated i0 unwind in opposition to the windin yInovement just described. Toxprevent suc twisting and` obviate the ne ble is an important object and one which is accomplished by my said machine.

It will be seen by an inspection of Fi 3 that the cam 43 which controls the rotating movements of the link holder 38 is so shaped that it first moves the rack 39 in one direction and then holds it there for about a quarter of a revolution, and then moves it in an opposite direction and holds it in the latter position for about the same period. In other words, I first cause the link-holding jaws to turn in one direction or clockwise, in turning the link from horizontal to vertical position, and then cause them to turn in Ysiderable saving ssityor such a ta? Hrm hold on the new blank, the linkolding.

fingers 73 and 73a are retracted and return to horizontal It will be observed that the above-described embodiment of myy invention has among others the following advantages: The Joint between the ends of the link al'- Ways occurs in precisely the same position, and thus the electrodes of a weldin lmachine can be placed vclose together and the section of link which is heated (which is that between the electrodes) reduced to the minimum amount. This would not be possible if the joint varied in position, because then the electrodes would have to be as far apart as the widest range of variation. This feature of my invention permits a conin electrical energy necessary to heat the links.

The links are so formed that although osition. The described cycle` .of operations 1s then repeated.

there would naturally be a V-shaped Vgap be- Y tween the ends of the blank, my machine causes the metal to be dragged toward the ap on the outer surfaces of the ends of the links and thus to fiil up the gap that would otherwise occur. This makes the welding a simpler and quicker matter.

In my machine the link is firmly held against the former by the holding fingers 23 and 24, and the main portions of the bending movements of the ends of the blank take place simultaneously, so that there is no tendency to drag the blank one way or the other. If the roll 71, for instance, moved first and the roll 72 remained stationary Y while the roll 7l was bending its end ofthe link, the latter roll would tend to drag its end of the blank around the former and thus to throw the ends of the joint between the link out of place.

i y devices for bending the ends of the link all retreat back of the fennel', after the link has been completed, and leave no parts chain to catch upon as the completed .l'inl is turned to vertical movement has a ten enc first one way and then t machine makes as high per minute, it would cause t e chain tecatch upon the link-forming parts if they were in the plane of such movements of the chain. By causing the link-forming parts to retreat out of the way in the manner Vdescribed, the. certainty and possible speed of the machine are increased.

As my machine forms the link by the rolling action of the forming rolls as dise other, and as the osition. This turnin to whip the chainv or proJections beside the former for the I v lo i as fort; (40) links.n

maaien 3' tinguished from the sharp ormin action same time, said Ameans bein maintained of aws, the metal of the wire lank is symmetrical to each other re ative to said gli? ually rolled into the form of the link. axis, and thereafter actin successively to is treatment of the blank imposes much completely bend the ends o the blank about less strain upon the skin of.` its outer periphthe former.

ery than would be the calce with forming jaws, and the link is formed without injury to such skin, so that a stronger link results.

The above machine by permitting first one forming roll and then another tor complete its work, enables a shorter link to be made than could be made otherwise, and thus a chain of greater iexibility can be produced than if the links were longer.

Having thus describedmy invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a vertically movable and laterally stationa former, means for positioning and hol ing a blank so that the center of the blank shall be opposite the center of the former, and means comprising independently operatn link forming levers for bending the ends o ythe blank about the former an into welding contact while the latter remains in fixed position, said indendently o rating link formin levers actmg to ben both ends of the lank equal amounts about corresponding portions of the stationar former in the same time, whereby ten ency to displace the relative ositions of the center of the blank and center of the fogmer is prevented.

2. In a machine qr forming chain, Vthe combination of a former, means for feeding a blank and positioning it so that the center of the blank shall be opposite the center of the former, and devices acting simultane- 'ously to turn each end of the blank partly around the former, said devices thereafter acting successively on the op osite end portions of the blank to roll tlie ends of the blank toward each other into alined relation. 3. In a machine for forming chain, the combination ofa former, means for placin and maintaining a blank symmetrical wit reference to said former, and means movable about the former and acting to simultaneously roll the ends of the blank symmetrically with reference to and about said former and then to cease bending action on oneend of the blank while the other end is being further bent and thereafter to complete the bend of the other end to bring the ends of the blank together.

4. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a substantially oval former, means for placing the center of a wire blank on the minor axis of the oval of said 4 former, and plural means relatively movable simu ancously the blank for said blank partially in lsubstantially the about the former and actin alon the end portions o? ben mg the ends of around said former -forming for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for feeding a blank so that the center of said blank is opposite the center of said former, means for clamping said blank at its `central portion a ainst said forme-r means acting indepen ently upon the ends of the blan for bending the said blank about said former, said bendin' means acting simultaneously on both en s of the blank for part of the bending action and then acting successively on the ends of the blank to bring them into intimate contact for Welding.

6. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former means for placing a blank against said iormer, means for bending the blank completely about the former to bring the ends of the blank into substantial contact, said means comprising bending rolls and mechanism for causing first one of said rolls to move to the joint between the ends of the blank and then the other roll to move to said joint.

7. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, neans for placing a blank against said former, means bending said blank around said former, said means com rising bending rolls, guiding rolls carrie by said bending rolls, a cam shaped to cause saidkguiding rolls to travel around said former, and means for moving said rolls simultaneously during the main part of the bending movement, and then for causing first one of said sets of rolls and then the other to move to the joint between the ends of the blank.

8. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means' for placing a blank against said former, means to hold said blank against said former, two forming rolls independent of said means, pins upon which said rolls are mounted, guiding rolls on said pins and on opposite sides of said forming rolls, cams for each of said guiding rolls, said cams being shaped to give said rolls paths to bend the blank completely about said former, parts in which said pins are mounted, and means for moving said arts to cause said rolls to travel along their cams and successively bring the ends of the blank to the joint of the link.

9. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for placing a blank against said former, means to hold said blank against said former, two forming rolls, pins upon which said rolls are mounted, guidin rolls on said pins and on opposite sides o said formin rolls, cams for each of said guiding rol s, said cams, being shaped t-o give said forming rolls 5. In a machine 'nsv for

ist

65 said former, two slides 1Q combination of a former, mea`ns for placing a blank against said fennel', means tohold t said blank against said former, two form.

ing rolls, pins upon 'which 'said' rolls are mounted, guiding rolls on sa1d pms on opposite sides of said `forming rolls,` a cam for each of said guiding rolls, said cams being shaped to fgive said forming rolls aths about the armer, a projection for orcing the rolls toward the former at a 90 point near the joint in the link, and means for vin said parts to cause said rolls to travel a ong their cams.

y 11. In a machine for vforming chain, the combination of a former, means for placing 26 a blankjagainst said former;l means to hold said blank against said, former, two forming rolls, pinslipon". whichv said rolls are mounted guiding rolls on said pins Von opposite sides of said forming rolls, a cam for each 80 of said guiding rolls,

said cams bein shaped to give said formin rolls paths to end the blank completely a out the former, a projection for forcing the rolls toward the former at a oint'near the joint in the link, and means or moving said parts to cause said rolls to travel along their cams, said means causing first one set of rolls and then thek other set to approach the joint in the lin 12. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for placin a blank against said former, means to hol said blank against said former, two forming rolls, pins upon which said rolls are mounted, guiding rolls on said pins on opposite sides of said forming rolls, a cam for each of said guiding rolls, said cams being shaped to give said forming rolls paths to bend the blank completely about the former, a rojection at the juncture of said cams for orcing the rolls toward the former at points near the joint in the link, means for moving said parts to causesaid rolls to travel along their cams, said means causing first one set the joint in the link, on said xpins, eased by ,retracting additional gui e. rolls and cams adapted to be ensaid additional guide rolls on the movement of said parts to carry said forming rolls away from said former.

13. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for placing a Vblank against said former, means acting independently to hold said blank against mounted in the Tmaof rolls and then the other set to ap roachV the side of said former chine, upper and lower links pivoted to eachl of said slides, pins pivoted inthe ends of' said pairs of links, upper and lower guide rolls on said pins between. said links, o ing rolls between said guiding rolls,` and upper and lower cams which are adapted to engage said guiding rolls focalise the forming rolls to successively approach the link jolnt to bend the blank completely about the former'.

14. In a combination of a former, means for placing ablank against said former, means to hold' said blank, against said formentwo slidesimounted in the machine, u er and lower links pivoted to each of sal slides, pins pivoted in the ends\of said pairs of links, upper and lower guide rolls on said pins between said links, forming rolls between .said guiding rolls, impe and lower cams which are adapted to engag said guiding rolls, guiding rolls mountedon said pins above said upper 1inks,and cams adapted to be engaged by said' last mentioned guiding rolls to retract the forming rolls from the former.

15. In a machine Vfor forming chain, the

machine for forming chain, the

combination of a former, means for placing 'Y a blank against said former, a` slide, lingers pivoted to said slide, and adapted to force the blank against the than said 4holdin lingers for bending the endsof the bla around the former, and mechanism for causing said means to simultaneously bend both ends of the blank partly about said former and then complete the bending actioniirst of one and then the other.

16. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former,` lingers adapted to force 'a blank against the former, linkforming rolls, movable parts upon" which said fingers and rolls are mounted, means for moving said parts, said means being so formed as to position said lingers, and forming rolls to form a guide to guide the blank in assumin a position back of said former, means for igeeding the blank alon the guide thus formed, said finger-operatln means then causing the said fingers to giros the blank against the former, and said formin roll-operating means then causing sai forming rolls to sweep the ends of the blank around the former.

17. In a machine for formin chain, the combination of a former, means or positioning a blank at one side of said former, linkholding fingers, means for forcing said fingers to hold the blank against the former, means for bending the ends of the blank, and a pivoted' brace adapted to bear against opposite to sald iingers, whereby said brace may be swept out gli tlle way by the means for bending the an t 18; In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for feeding a blank to a position beside the former,

'means for forcing the middle of the blank 'bysaid brace may yield to permit movement of said rolls. V

19. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for feeding a blankto a. osition beside the former, means for forcing the middle of the blank against the former, a pivoted brace adapted to bear upon the op osite side of the former, yielding means ten ing to hold said brace in position against the former, link-forming rolls and means for causing them to bend the ends of the blank around the former, whereby said brace may yield to permit movement of said rolls, and means for moving first one of said rolls and then the other of said rolls to a position between said brace and said former.

20. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for simultiineously bending the ends of a wire blank around said former, said means acting successively on the ends of the blank for forcing the skin of the Aouter surface of the ends of said blank successively' toward the joint between said ends.

21. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means to positively grip the blank against the former, actuatin devices therefor, and means independent o said first named means for bending the ends of the blank simultaneously part way about the former and then bend the ends in succession completely around the former, whereby said firstmentioned means prevents the blankfrom being dragged in either direction from its original position during such simultaneous and successive bending.

22. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for feeding a blank longitudinally to a position adjacent to said former, means for bending the blank about the former, means for engaging the completed link and turning it across the path of movement of the incoming blank, and means for operating said link turning means tirst in one and then' in the other direction to turn successive links alternately in opposite directions.

23. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for feeding n blank longitudinally to a position beside said former, means for bending the ends of the blank about the former, means for engaging the link thus formed, means for moving the former from the engaged link and means for turnin it to a position substantially pe endicu ar to the position in which it was ormed, and means for operating said turning means, first in one direction and then in the other.

24. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, meansfor feeding a wire blank longitudinall to a position beside said former, means for bending said blank around said former, link turning means adapted to engage and hold said link.;` means for withdrawin the link, means or turning said linkturning means first in one and then in the o posite direction to brin the successive linrs to a position in line with the former, said :former said former froml within operating means then restoring the former to its ori inal position, whereby a new blank be t readed through the completed link an be formed about t e former as was the previous blank.

25. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for feeding a wire blank longitudinally to a position beside said former, means for bending said blank around said former, link turning means adapted to engage and hold the link, means for withdrawin said former from within the link, means or turning said link turning means to bring the link to a position in line with the former, said former having a groove adapted to receive the link when in the last mentioned position, said former operating means then restoring the former to its original position, whereby a new blank may be threaded through the completed link and be formed about the former as was the previous blank, said link turning means belng turned first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, whereby twisting of the chain is avoided, said link turning means comprising a cylindrical body Aslidably and' rotatably mounted. and fingers yieldably connected to said body, said fingers having grooves adapted to fit the link.

2G.` In a machine for forming chain links, the combination of a former about which' the link is formed, and means for bending the blank completely about the former, 'said means `comprising link forming devices arranged and adapted to act at the same time to partially bend the blank about the former and to then act successively on the ends of the blank to complete the bending action.

27. In a chain forming machine, the cornbination of a former, means for sup orting Yit in fixed position as the blank is bent turning movement of said link at the time of said turning movement, whereby catching of the chain upon said link forming levers is prevented.

28. In a chain forming machine, the combination of a former, means for feeding a blank to a position beside saidformer, means for bending said blank about said former, and means for turning said blank to a positionl erpendicular to that in which it was form said bending means being so constructed as to be retracted outof the plane of the turning movement of said link at the time of said turning movement, whereby catching of the chain upon said bending means. 1s prevented, and means for turning said turning means to cause successive links to be turned alternately in opposite directions.

29. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for feeding a blank to a position beside the former, means adapted to force the blank against the former, a air of forming rolls. and means for causing said rolls to act simultaneously to bend the blank partly about the former and then to successively roll along the end portions of the blank to the joint of the link t0 complete the link formation and bring the ends of the link into alined relation.

30. In a machine for formingchain, the combination of a former, means for moving the former longitudinally of itself, means for feeding a blank'beside the former, a slide movable erpendicular to said former, blank holding ngers pivoted on said slide, stationary cams and pins on said fingers engaging said cams, said ngers being adapted to force a blank against said former, a cylindrical body slidably and rotatably mounted, means for sliding and rotating said body, link engaging fingers carried by said body, slides mounted on opposite sides of said first mentioned slide, links pivoted to said slides.

link forming rolls, and guiding rolls pivotedto said links, cams adapted to calfse said links to bend the blank about the former, means for operating said last mentioned slides so as to cause said formin rolls to simultaneously bend the ends of t e blanks and then to cause rst one'and then the other of them to pinch its respective end of the blank against the former.

31. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for feeding a blank to a position beside said former, a stop normally standing in line with the blank, means for holding said Stop in said position, a pivoted brace adapted to support the side ofthe former op osite to said blank, means for yieldingly ho ding said'pivoted brace against the former, the blank against `the former, and means for means for forcing:

bending the ends of the blank around the former, said means acting to move the brace.

32. In a machinefor forming chain` tlie ,combination of l former, means for feeding a blank to a position beside said former, a stop normally standing in line with the blank, means for holding said stop in said position, a piotedbrac'e adapted to support the side of the mer op site to said blank, m'eansfor yie' 'n l` ho ding said` pivoted brace againsttlie-rmer means for forcing the blank avamst the former, and means for bendingbthe ends of the blank around the f rlner and for movino' the brace, said meansT for bending the blank comprising forming rolls,` guiding rolls, parts upon which said rolls are mounted,` and cams ada ted to guide said guiding rolls.

In a machine for formin chain, the combination of a longitudinally movable former, means for feeding a blank to a position beside the former, means to brace the former both front and back, and means to bend the blank around the stationary former, said means for bracin the former being adapted to engage and isengage the former.

34. In a chain forming machine, the combination of a former means for feeding a blank to a positionxbeside said former, a yielding stop in the ath of the bendin means and against w ich the end of sai blank is adapted to strike tofposition the blank with relation to the former, means for forcing the blank against the former when stopped in ndin position, and means for bending the b ank about the former.

35. In a machine for forming chain, the combination of a former, means for placing a blank beside the former, and means for bending the blank completely ,around the former comprising rolls means for directing said rolls in their proper paths about the former, and meansI to cause the rolls to bend the ends of the,l blank successively to the position of 'tlgle link joint and in Welding Contact.

36 In a machine.for forming chain, the combination cfa former, means for holding a Yblank against the former, forming rolls and means `for causing the rolls toimultaneously travel part way about the former andto -then `v`successively travel'to oll the ends of the blank together around the "'former.

'37. In a machine of the characteri described, independently reciprocatin sup ports, link forming levers plvoted t ereon, means for siiiiultaneously-efl'ecting a forward movement of said supports to Unep a tblank and means for effecting an alternately independent movement lof 'said supports to give t final' band, guidevrolls and forming ports, llink rolls on, said levers guides for said levers, and a former, for t epur ose set forth.

v38. In a machine of tie character de` scribed, independently reciprocating supforminglevers o eratively mounted thereon, means for simu taneousl/y ett'ecting a forward movement of said supports to U up a blank, means for effecting an alternatelyA independent movement of said supports yto give yafnal bend, guide rolls on said levers, guides engaged by said rolls, forming rolls on said levers, a vertically operating former or anvil, and means for operating .said anvil for the purpose set forth.

39. In a machine of the character de-` guide rolls, a former or anvil about which' l the link is bent, means for operating said link forming lever supports so that both levers Will be moved together to U up t-he blank, of Which the link is formed, means for temporarily halting one lever, means for advancing the other lever to complete one side of the link, and means on said guides to force the guide roll toward the former or anvil to give a final bend, means for retreating the last named link forming lever and advancing the other link forming lever to complete the opposite side of the link, for the purpose set forth.

40. In a machine of the character described, link forming levers, independently reciprocating supports on which said levers are operatively mounted, a guide or track for said levers, a vertically movable former, Wire feeding mechanism, a support for the Wire, a cut 0H bushing die mounted on one of the link forming lever supports so that the forward movement of said support Will cut off a blank While a previous blank is being formed into a link, a movable stop for the end of the blank adapted to be actuated by one of said link forming lever supports, combined guide and pinch lingers, a reciprocating support therefor adapted to bring said fingers inthe feeding line of the Wire to serve as a guide therefor, and when the Wire is against the movable stop to exert a further pressure against the Wire, jaws adapted to grasp a completed link, a rotatable and longitudinally operating holder for said jaws, for the purpose set forth.

4:1. In a machine of the character described, link forming levers, guide and forming rolls thereon, said forming -rolls having grooved faces adapted to serve as Wire guides, independent-ly reciprocating sup orts on Which said levers are operative y mounted, a track for guiding the link forming levers during the link bending operation, a vertically operating former or formation of a link, .means for severing a# link carried by one of the link forming lever supports, combined guide and,pinch fingers` means for operating the same, link holding jaws, Vand a rotatable and longitudinally operating holder for said jaws, for the purpose set forth.

49.. In a machine of the character de` scribed.l link forming levers, independently reciprocating supports on which said levers 'are operatively mounted, Ivvire feeding mechanism, means carried by one of the link forming lever supports for severing a section from thesvvire While a link is being formed from a"previously severed section, and means for` maintaining the second sev= ered section in the feeding line of the Wire after the completion of a` link from the previous severed section, for the purpose set forth.

43. In combination, reciprocating link forming levers, means for advancin both levers together to U up a blank, a ormer about which the blank is bent, means for halting one of said levers While the other is advanced to give the final bend to one side of a link and then retreat said lever out of the bending field, means for advancing the other lever to perform a similar operation for the other side of the link and then retreat said lever out of the bending field, and a curved guide or track to actuate said levers to effect such final bends, for the purpose set forth.

44. The combination, With link forming and Wire feeding mechanism and an anvil or former, of a movable rear support normally in the rear of said anvil, means connected with the link forming` mechanism for temporarily removing said support from the anvil, and means for automatically returning said support to its normal position, for the purpose set forth.

45. In a chain forming machine, the oombination of a mandrel, means for feeding a blank into bending position with respect to the mandrel, and means for simultaneously rolling the end portions of the blank partly about the mandrel to first` U up the blank and for then rolling first one and then the other end portion of the blank about the mandrel to complete the link formation.

46. In a chain forming machine, the combination of a mandrel, means for feeding a blank to position with relation to the mandrel, tWo levers for acting on the blank to bend it about the mandrel, and means for causing 4'said levers to act simultaneously upon the end ortions of the blank to partly carry said enld portions about the mandrel and for then acting successively upon saidr 'ICIV blank about said former, and

end ortions to complete the bending of the b ank about the mandrel.

47. In a chain forming machine, tbe combination of a mandrel, means for feeding a blank to position with relation to the mandrel, 'two levers carrying rolls for acting Q on the blank to bend it aboutthe mandrel, j and means for` causing said levers to act si multnneously upon the end portions of .the blank to partly carry said end ortio'ns about the mandrel and for then acting 511e-, cessively upon said end portions to complete the bending of the blank about the mandrel. Y

48. In a.machine for forming chain, a former, means for holding the blankV against said former, a pair 'of forming rolls, means n to cause said rolls to travel to first U up a l means operati opies of this patent may be obtained for diierent times each end of said blank against said former, and thereby cause said ends to abut and close the link.

49. In a machine for forming chain, a former, a pair of formin rolls, independent means for causing eac roll to pursue a curved path about sald former to bend one end 'of said blank about said former, and means' for causing each roll to press one end of said blank against said former while the other roll is held out of;` its path.

Signed at Bridgeport`-` in the county of Fair-field and State of Connecticut this 14th G. A. Douanes, GEORGE W. FINN.

' day of Sept. A. D. 1905.

ve cents each, 4i'y addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. (3.

ging thereafter to cause said rolls to press at 2o 

